Method and system for allocating bandwidth in an optical communication network

Abstract

A method and system for allocating bandwidth in a communication network is disclosed. Processing a request for bandwidth includes evaluating potential paths. Configuration rules and propagation rules may be applied to eliminate non-viable paths. A path quality indicator for remaining paths is derived based on calculations and signal characteristic measurements. A path having a suitable path quality indicator is selected and may be validated using existing representative or new signals.

1. A method for allocating bandwidth among a plurality of paths in an optical communication network, the method comprising:
 performing a first ranking of the plurality of paths based on one or more configuration rules; 
 eliminating from consideration a lowest ranked path based on the configuration rules to define first paths; 
 performing a second ranking of the first paths based on propagation rules; 
 eliminating from consideration a lowest ranked path based on the propagation rules to define second paths; 
 obtaining signal characteristic measurements from the plurality of paths, wherein the signal characteristic measurements from the plurality of paths are measured with an optical performance monitor; 
 obtaining transmission parameters from the plurality of paths, wherein the transmission parameters comprise fiber type, amplifier type, channel launch power, and channel plan; 
 determining a path quality indicator for the second paths and ranking the second paths based on the path quality indicator to define ranked second paths, the path quality indicator being dependent on a weighted combination of the signal characteristic measurements and the transmission parameters; and, 
 selecting one of the ranked second paths based on the path quality indicator and allocating the bandwidth to the one of the ranked second paths. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the configuration rules evaluate a number of configuration factors, said first ranking further comprising combining configuration factors to define a configuration rank used in said first ranking. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 said combining includes weighting the configuration factors, wherein the weighting is adjusted based on one of specific configurations and adjustments over time to accommodate changes in the optical communication network. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 eliminating from consideration a path based on failure to satisfy a configuration constraint. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the propagation rules evaluate a number of propagation factors, said second ranking further comprising combining propagation factors to define a propagation rank used in said second ranking. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein:
 said combining includes weighting the propagation factors, wherein the weighting is adjusted based on one of specific configurations and adjustments over time to accommodate changes in the optical communication network. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 eliminating from consideration a path based on failure to satisfy a propagation constraint. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 validating the selected one of the ranked second paths. 
 
     
     
       9. A system for allocating bandwidth among a plurality of paths in an optical communication network, the system comprising:
 a plurality of network elements coupled by a plurality of paths, wherein each of the plurality of network elements comprises an optical performance monitor configured to measure signal characteristics of the plurality of paths; 
 a network management system in communication with said network elements, said network management system implementing a process comprising:
 performing a first ranking of the plurality of paths based on one or, more configuration rules; 
 eliminating from consideration a lowest ranked path based on the configuration rules to define first paths; 
 performing a second ranking of the first paths based on propagation rules; 
 eliminating from consideration a lowest ranked path based on the propagation rules to define second paths; 
 obtaining signal characteristic measurements from the optical performance monitor, 
 obtaining transmission parameters for the second paths, wherein the transmission parameters comprise fiber type, amplifier type, channel launch power, and channel plan; 
 determining a path quality indicator for the second paths and ranking the second paths based on the path quality indicator to define ranked second paths, the path quality indicator being dependent on a weighted combination of the signal characteristic measurements and the transmission parameters; and, 
 selecting one of the ranked second paths based on the path quality indicator and allocating the bandwidth to the one of the ranked second paths. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 the configuration rules evaluate a number of configuration factors, the first ranking further comprising combining configuration factors to define a configuration rank used in said first ranking. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein:
 the combining includes weighting the configuration factors, wherein the weighting is adjusted based on one of specific configurations and adjustments over time to accommodate changes in the optical communication network. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said network management system eliminates from consideration a path based on failure to satisfy a configuration constraint. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 the propagation rules evaluate a number of propagation factors, said second ranking further comprising combining propagation factors to define a propagation rank used in said second ranking. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13  wherein:
 the combining includes weighting the propagation factors, wherein the weighting is adjusted based on one of specific configurations and adjustments over time to accommodate changes in the optical communication network. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said network management system eliminates from consideration a path based on failure to satisfy a propagation constraint. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 validating the selected one of the ranked second paths. 
 
     
     
       17. A method for allocating bandwidth among a plurality of paths in an optical communication network, the method comprising:
 performing a ranking of the plurality of paths based on one of configuration rules and propagation rules; 
 eliminating from consideration a lowest ranked path based on the said ranking to define ranked paths; 
 measuring signal characteristics of the plurality of paths with an optical performance monitor; 
 obtaining transmission parameters for the plurality of paths, wherein the transmission parameters comprise fiber type, amplifier type, channel launch power, and channel plan; 
 determining a path quality indicator for the ranked paths responsive to a weighted combination of the measured signal characteristics and the transmission parameters; 
 selecting one of the ranked paths and allocating the bandwidth to the one of the ranked paths in response to the path quality indicator; and 
 validating the selected one of the ranked paths; 
 wherein the configuration rules, the propagation rules, the signal characteristics, and the transmission parameters comprise weightings, and wherein the weightings are adjusted based on one of specific configurations and adjustments over time to accommodate changes in the optical communication network.